Hinge construction



May 26, 1953 c. c. FISH HINGE CONSTRUCTION Filed March 21, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet l WIIII4 Ill-III IIIIIIIIH INVENTOR. CARA C WM W ATTORNEYS May 26, 1953 Filed March 21, 1949 C. C. FISH HINGE CONSTRUCTION 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN TOR. O?! C I /Sf/ May 26, 1953 c. c. FISH HINGE CONSTRUCTION 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 21, 1949 INVENTOR. ,CARL C /"/5// May 26, 1953 c. c. FISH 2,639,462

HINGE CONSTRUCTION Filed March 21, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVEN TOR. [4R4 C. H514 Patented May 26, 1953 HINGE CONSTRUCTION Carl 0. Fish, Detroit, Mich., assignor to Form Stamping Company Application March 21, 1949, Serial No. 82,516

10 Claims.

This invention relates to hinges of the ge eral type adapted to pivotally connect a swingin closure to a fixed support.

More particularly the present invention refers to a hinge construction which may be satisfactorily employed in connection. with a vehicle body for the purpose of pivotally connecting the usual rear deck to the body structure forming the storage compartment. In accordance with this invention the hinge assembly is such as to enable supporting the same in an exceptionally small space to one side of the storage compartment, where it does not obstruct the latter. In fact the space occupied by the hinge assembly in any position of the latter is so small that it may be disregarded insofar as reducing the storage capacity of the compartment is concerned.

In many rear deck structures, as is also true with other types of installations, one edge of the deck or similar closure overlies a seat 01 seal on the adjacent edge of the supporting structure, and there is a tendency for the overlying edge of the closure to slide across or bite into the seal upon initial upward swinging movement of the closure. overlying edge portion of the closure may scuff or rub against adjacent painted surfaces of the body structure and mar the same.

With the above in view it is a further object of this invention to incorporate a control feature in the hinge assembly which guides the closure throughout a path of travel such that the overlying edge or seal engaging lip moves bodily away from the seal in a direction generally normal to the latter upon initial upward swinging movement of the closure.

It is still another feature of this invention to control swinging movement or" the closure so that the seal engaging lip also shifts a slight distance rearwardly and thereby minimizes any tendency for the front edge of the lip to scrape against the adjacent finished part of the body during initial swinging movement of the closure.

The foregoing as well as other objects will be made more apparent as this description proceeds, especially when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view partly in section showing a hinge structure embodying the features of this invention and showing only a part of the spiral spring for the sake of clarity;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view partly in section showing the hinge structure in the position it assumes when the closure is swung to its open position;

Also in some instances the Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line .'-3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4- l of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a sectional View taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on the line t--6 of Figure 2;

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken on the line l'i of Figure 2;

Figure 8 is a side elevational view partly in section of a modified form of hinge structure and showing the latter in the position it assumes when the closure is in its closed position;

Figure 9 is a side elevational view partly in section of the hinge structure shown in Figure 8, and illustrating the parts of the hinge in the relative positions they assume when the closure is swung to its open position;

Figure 10 is a sectional View taken on the line Ill-I ll of Figure 8;

Figure 11 is a sectional view taken on the line ll--il of Figure 9; and

Figure 12 is a sectional view taken on the line l'2-l2 of Figure 9.

For the purpose of illustration the hinge structure embodying the features of this invention is shown in connection with a vehicle body for pivotally connecting the front edge of the usual rear deck closure to the body structure, although it will be understood as this description proceeds that the hinge may be employed for pivotally mounting other types of closures.

In general the numeral ll} designates fixed supporting means, or in the present instance, the part of a vehicle body which forms the top wall of the storage compartment at the rear of the body, and the numeral l i indicates an opening which provides access to the interior of the storage compartment. The opening H is closed by a closure it having a lip or flange I3 extending forwardly from the front edge of the closure and adapted to set on a seal M. The seal M extends along the rear edge of thesupporting means ill at the front side of the opening II, and is carried by the supporting means. The closure I2 is pivoted to the supporting means by two hinge assemblies 15 located in the top of the storage compartment at opposite sides of the latter in positions where they are out of the way and do not obstruct the opening H. The two hinge assemblies are identical in construction, and a description of one will suffice for both. Referring first to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1 to '7 inclusive, it

will be noted that the hinge assembly comprises a bracket I 6, an arm I! and connecting linkage I8. The bracket [6 is in the form of a vertical plate located in the top of the storage compartment adjacent one side of the latter and positioned in advance of the front edge of the opening H. The bracket or plate 16 is formed with a laterally extending attaching flange 19 at the front edge, and is formed with a similar flange 20 at the top edge. The flange Ill is suitably secured to a part 2| of the supporting means l0, and the flange 20 is secured to a part 22 of the fixed supporting means.

The arm I 1 is secured at its rear end to the underside of the closure l2 by fastener elements 23, and projects forwardly beyond the front edge of the closure to aposition at the outer side of the bracket 16. The front or free end portion of the arm I! is curved upwardly slightly, and a follower 25 is secured to the extremity of the upwardly curved portion. As shown in Figure 3 of the drawings, the follower 25 slidably engages in an elongated slot 25 formed in the plate or bracket I 6. The slot 23 extends forwardly in a straight line from a point located directly below the front side of the opening H and is of sufficient length to enable swinging movement of the closure from the closed position thereof shown in Figure 1 of the drawings to the open position shown in Figure 2 of the drawings.

The linkage l8 includes a link 2'! having the rear end pivotally supported on the outer side of the arm I! at a point directly below the flange i3 on the closure [2. As shown in Figure 5 of the drawings, a generally U-shaped bracket 28 is seecured to the outer side of the arm II. and the rear end of the link is pivoted to the base of the bracket 28 by a pin 28. The front end of the link 2'! also extends along the outer side of the plate or bracket I6, and is offset laterally inwardly in the manner shown in Figure '7 of the drawings to assume a position immediately adjacent the plate I 6. The front end of the link 21 is pivotally connected to a shouldered follower pin 28', and the latter slidably engages in a slot 29' formed in the plate l6 below the slot 26.

The linkage l8 also includes a link 30 having the lower end pivotally connected to the link 21 intermediate the ends of the latter by a pin 3!. The upper end of the link 38 is pivoted to a bracket 32 by means of a pin 33, and the bracket 32 is secured to the flange of the plate H5 at a point above the slot 26 adjacent the front end of the latter.

The above arrangement is such that when the closure I2 is in its closed position, the follower at the front end of the arm I! is located at the front end of the slot 26, and the pin 28' on the front end of the link 27 is located at the front end of the slot 29. Also in the above position the link 30 assumes a substantially vertical position, so that as the rear end of the closure is raised, the links cooperate to swing the closure to the position thereof shown in Figure 2 of the drawings. In this connection it is pointed out that the slot 29' is arcuate in shape, and coacts with the front end of the link 21 to guide swinging movement of the closure l2. The contour of the slot 29 is such that the flange l3 at the front edge of the closure 12 moves upwardly along the path indicated by the dot and dash line in Figure 2 of the drawings. This path of travel is such that the flange I3 is moved bodily away from the seal I 4 in a direction substantially normal to the latter, so that there is no tendency for the flange l3 to scuff or dig into the seal during initial upward movement of the closure. In fact it will be observed from the path 35 shown in Figure 2 of the drawings that the flange also moves rearwardly slightly during its upward travel, and this is desirable in that it prevents any possibility of the flange contacting the adjacent body structure and chipping the paint from the latter. Attention is also called to the fact that as the closure 12 is swung upwardly, the pin or follower 25 on the front end of the arm [1 moves rearwardly along the slot 26 to a position directly below the front side of the opening ll. This arrangement enables obtaining the desired movement of the closure without the necessity of employing a deep throated ooseneck type arm, and this feature is important in that it enables reducing the overall size of the hinge structure.

Supported on the inner side of the plate I6 is a pair of links 36 and 31. The adjacent ends of the links are pivotally connected together by a stud 38, and the outer ends of the links are respectively pivotally connected to the supporting means It] and the front end of the link 21. In detail the outer end of the link 35 is pivoted to the plate l5 by a pin 39, and the outer end of the link 3? is pivoted to the follower pin 28 previously described as carried by the front end of the link 27. The link 36 has a rearward extension 4%, and the latter is formed with an inwardly extending lug 4!. As shown in Figure 6 of the drawings, a spiral type spring 42 is mounted on the stud 38, and the latter is secured to the inner end of the link 3?. As shown in Figure 6 of the drawing the inner end 43 of the spring is anchored in a slot formed in the head of the stud 38, and the outer end 44 is looped around the bottom of the lug 4!. The arrangement is such that the spring 42 applies an upward thrust on the extension 49 of the link 36 and assists movement of the closure to its open position. Inasmuch as the outer end of the link 21 is connected to the follower 28', it will be noted that when the closure is in its closed position, the outer end of the link, or in other words the pin 28, lies directly below the pin 39. Thus the spring force applied to the extension 40 of the link 36 tending to open the closure is at a minimum when the closure is in its closed position, and progressively increases as the closure is raised. In other words one end of the spring is attached to stud 38 which in turn is secured to link 37 so that as the lid is raised, stud 38 revolves counter-clockwise (Figure 2) thereby in effect winding the spring and increasing its upward force on lug 4|.

The embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 8 to 12 inclusive is similar to the construction described above, and corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals. In the embodiment shown in Figures 8 to 12 inclusive, the closure I2 is guided throughout its swinging movement in a path 45, corresponding generally to the path 35, by a link 46 similar to the link 30 of the construction described above. The upper end of the link 46 is pivoted by a pin 41 to the plate It at a point 4! spaced forwardly from the pin 33, and the lower end of the link 45 is pivoted to the front end of the link 2'! by a pin 48. The arrangement is such that when the closure I2 is swung upwardly from its closed position shown in Figure 8 to the open position shown in Figure 9, the flange 13 moves along the path 45. As stated above this path is similar to the path 35 described in connection with th first embodiment of this invention, and the same results are obtained.

As shown partly in Figure 11 of the drawings, the rear end of the link 2'! is pivoted to the bracket 23 by a stud and spiral type spring 55 is mounted on. the stud 19. The inner end the spring is anchored on the stud ill in the usual manner, and the outer end of the spring is looped beneath. a pin iii? secured to the link El adjacent the stud fill.

It follows from the above that location of the spring in relation to the links is such that when the closure i2 is in its closed position shown in Figure 8 of the drawings, the spring is under substantially maximum tension, and the line of force to the link 2'? by the outer end of the sprh g is such that the spring acts to hold the closure H2 in its closed position. However, upon initial upward movement of the closure, the sp'ing is shi :l rearwardly and acts to assist in raising the closure to fully opened position shown in Figure g of the drawings.

With the above noted exceptions and with the exception of the spe fic shape of some or the parts, t: consiruct shown Figures 8 to 12 inclusive is similar to the arrangement previously described n connect o with 11 .gures l to inclusive. th consi u ions are or a nature to enable readily fns up the same in positions in the storage compartment where they do not interfere with or obstruct the openin" li. baggage or other articles may be v inserted through the opening i i into the storage compartment. It will also be noted. that both types of hinge assemblies are very compact, and are ado: 5-- ed. to be positioned at t e top of the storage compartment forwardly of the front edge of the opening so that the space in the storage comparh ment occupied by the hinge assemblies neg gible. It vill. further noted that the linkage embodied in the irir assemblies shown in Fig ores 8 to 12 inclusive is ported at the outer side of the plate with result that the plate acts as a sh eld to prevent no linkage from interfering w baggage or the like in the storage compartmen is true of the first embodiment of invention with the exception of the two small a swinging closure, bracket, anv arm adapted L0 be fixed one l to the closure, a combined ble and .ivotal connection between the other e enabling ng movement or the arm relative to the bra: it during swinging movement of the closure, a k one end por on pivoted to pivots connecting ti" r end the first link to the bracket, a cor I. able and pivotal connection l ween 1 oh an bracket for guiding swinging movement or the arm alone a prcdctermin erl of travel.

2. A structure for a swinging closure, comprisi...g bracket, an arm adapted to combined slidable e the other end of t. e arm and bracket enabi sliding movement the arm relative to the bracket during swin ing movement the closure, a first link having one pivoted to said arm, a second link having one end pivoted to the bracket and having the other end pivoted to the first link inter .eciate the thereof, and a third link having one end pivoted to the bracket adjacent the pivotal connection of the second link to the bracket and having the other end pivoted to the first link adjacent the other end of the latter.

3. A hinge structure for a swinging closure, comprising a fixed mounting bracket, an arm fixed at one end to the closure, a combined slidable and pivotal connection between the free end of the arm and bracket enabling sliding move-- ment of the arm relative to the bracket during swinging movement of the closure, a first link having one end pivoted to the arm intermediate the ends of the latter, a second link having one end pivoted to the bracket and having the other end pivoted to the first link intermediate the ends thereof, a combined slidable and pivotal connection. between the other end of the first link and said mounting bracket for guiding swinging movement of the clos re, a pair of links having the adjacent ends pivotally connected and having the other ends respectively pivotally connected to the bracket and the other end of the first link, and spring means associateowith th pair of links for assisting swinging movement of the closure in one direction.

4. A hinge structure for a swinging closure having a portion at one edge adapted to rest on a seating part, comprising a fixed mounting bracket, an arm adapted to be fixed at one end to the closure, a combined slidable and pivotal connection between the other end of the arm and bracket at a point spaced below the seating part enabling sliding movement of the arm relative to the bracket, whereby the closure is permitted to move bodily away from the seating part upon swinging movement of the closure toward its open position, a first link having one end portion pivoted to said arm, a second link pivotally connecting the other end portion of the first link to the bracket, and a combined sliclable and pivotal connection between the first link and. bracket for guiding swinging movement of the arm along a pre-determined path of travel.

5. A hinge assembly for a swinging closure having a portion at one edge adapted to rest on a seating part, comprising a fixed mounting bracket having a part adapted to be positioned below the seating part, an arm adapted to befixed at one end to the closure, a combined slidable and pivotal connection between the other end of the arm and said bracket part at a no t spaced below the seating part enabling sliding movement of the arm relative to the bracket, whereby the closure is permitted to move bodily away from the seating part upon swinging movement of the closure toward open position, a first link having one end portion pivoted to said arm, a second link pivotally connecting the other end portion or" the first link to the bracket, and a follower on the other end portion of the first link spaced from the pivotal connection of the second link to the first link and slidably engageable in an elongated slot in the bracket, said slot being shaped to guide swinging movement of the arm along a pre-determined path of travel.

6. A hinge structure for a swinging closure having an edge portion adapted to seat on a fixed supporting part, comprising a fixed mounting bracket adapted to be positioned below the supporting part and having an elongated slot therein, an arm adapted to be fixed at one end. to the closure, a follower moveable along the slot and connected to the other end portion of said arm, enabling sliding movement of the arm relative to the bracket, whereby the closure is permitted to move bodily away from the supporting part upon initial swinging movement of the closure toward open position, a first link having one end portion pivoted to the arm, a second link having one end pivoted to the first link intermediate the ends thereof and having the other end pivoted to the bracket at a point above the slot, and a combined slidable and pivotal connection between the other end portion of the first link and the bracket for guiding swinging movement of the arm along a pre-determined path of travel.

7. A hinge assembly for a swinging closure having a portion at one edge adapted to rest on a seating part, comprising a fixed mounting bracket having a portion adapted to be positioned below the seating part and having a first elongated slot in said portion, an arm adapted to be fixed at one end to the closure, a follower carried by the free end of the arm and slidably engageable in the slot enabling sliding movement of the arm relative to the bracket, whereby the closure is permitted to move bodily away from the seating part upon initial swinging movement of the closure toward its open position, a first link having one end pivoted to the arm intermediate the ends of the latter, a second link pivoted to the bracket above the slot and having the opposite end pivotally connected to the first link intermediate the ends of the latter, and a follower on the other end of the first link slidably engageable in a second elongated slot formed in said portion of the bracket below the first slot, said second slot being shaped to guide swinging movement of the arm along a pre-determined path of travel.

8. A hinge assembly for a swinging closure having a portion at one edge adapted to rest on a seating part, comprising a fixed mounting bracket having a portion adapted to be positioned below the seating part and having an elongated slot in said portion, an arm adapted to be fixed at one end to the closure and having the other end adapted to project below the seating part, a follower slidably supported in the slot and connected to the free end of the arm enabling sliding movement of the latter relative to the bracket, whereby the closure is permitted to move bodily away from the seating part upon initial swinging movement of the closure to open position, a first link having one end pivotally connected to the arm intermediate the ends thereof, a second link having one end pivotally connected to the bracket and having the other end pivotally connected to the first link intermediate the ends thereof, a combined slidable and pivotal connection between the other end of the first link and. the bracket for guiding swinging movement of the arm along a pre-determined path of travel, a pair of links having their adjacent ends pivotally connected together and having their other ends respectively pivotally connected to the bracket and to the said other end of the first link, and spring means associated with said pair of links for assisting swinging movement of the closure in one direction.

9. A hinge assembly for a swinging closure having a portion at one edge adapted to rest on a seating part, comprising a fixed mounting bracket adapted to be positioned below the seating part and having a first elongated slot therein, an arm adapted to be fixed at one end to the closure and having the other end adapted to project below the seating part, a follower slidably supported in the slot and connected to the free end of the arm enabling sliding movement of the arm relative to the bracket, whereby the closure is permitted to move bodily away from the seating part upon movement of the closure toward open position, a first link having one end pivotally connected to the arm intermediate the ends thereof, a second link having one end pivotally connected to the bracket and having the other end pivotally connected to the first link intermediate the ends thereof, a follower on the other end of the first link slidably engageable in a second elongated slot in said portion of the bracket for guiding swinging movement of the arm along a pre-determined path of travel, a pair of links having their adjacent ends pivotally connected together and having their other ends respectively pivotally connected to the bracket and said other end of the first link, and spring means associated with said pair of links for assisting swinging movement of the closure in one direction.

10. A hinge assembly for a swinging closure, comprising a mounting bracket having an elongated slot therein, an arm adapted to be fixed at one end to the closure, a follower on the other end of the arm slidably engageable in the slot, a first link having one end portion pivoted to the arm intermediate the ends of the latter, a second link having one end pivotally connected to the bracket at a point above said slot and having the other end pivotally connected to the first link intermediate the ends of the latter, and a third link having one end pivotally connected to the bracket at a point spaced from the pivotal connection of the second link to said bracket and having the other end pivotally connected to the said other end of the first link at a point spaced from the pivotal connection of the second link to the first link.

CARL C. FISH.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,173,644 Blackmore Sept. 19, 1939 2,254,088 Peterson Aug. 26, 1941 2,272,230 Van Voorhees Feb. 10, 1942 2,308,759 Joachim Jan. 19, 1943 2,320,752 Roethel June 1, 1943 2,548,492 Rivard et a1 Apr. 10, 1951 

